Folios 85-87. John Waugh to [Duke of Newcastle]. Poor communications with Carlisle...

Folios 85-87. John Waugh to [Duke of Newcastle]. Poor communications with Carlisle prevents him receiving intelligence. Encloses letter sent to a friend. Dated at York [Yorkshire] Enclosure:

1. Folio 86. Letter of Church of Scotland minister from the Borders to [?unknown]. States his previous letter was burnt at Carlisle [Cumberland]. The number of Scots and Irish in the French service who landed at Montrose [Angus] is uncertain. Earl of Loudon is setting out against the rebels [Jacobites]. Lord John Drummond has landed at Montrose with not more than 900 French troops. The rebels at Perth number 5,000-6,000, most commanded by Earl of Cromarty [Cromartie] and his son. The Earl of Loudon has 1,900 [number unclear] men. The French and [Highlanders] are marching on Stirling [Stirlingshire] with artillery, stating they intend to capture the castles of Stirling and Edinburgh. Troops from Edinburgh have marched against them. Edinburgh is preparing for a siege. Mr Stuart Cale MP, late provost of Edinburgh, has been imprisoned at Loudon [Ayrshire?]. Parliament has been adjourned. A man of war has brought a French ship carrying troops into Leith [Midlothian].